5. Rush
Rush
Ihadn’t seen Broderick since he left for Argentina over a week ago—the day he rescued me at Pacific and lingered just long enough after my celebratory dinner to make the pieces of my broken heart rattle.
That fluttering intensifies as I sit in the back of the town car, cradling trays of gourmet burgers and an assortment of drinks.
Judging by the weight, I probably ordered enough to feed a small army.
Tony, my driver and security tonight, skillfully weaves in and out of traffic, while Chris sits beside him.
The cocktails I had earlier are definitely hitting different, leaving my confidence tipsy and my nerves tap-dancing beneath my skin.
Maybe I should’ve called ahead.
What if he’s busy? What if he already went home?
The sleek glass facade of Goodman Enterprises comes into view. It’s past ten on a Friday night, and the building looks deserted except for a lone security guard at the lobby desk.
“Thanks, Tony,” I say warmly, patting the back of his seat as we pull up. “Here—I hope you two like burgers and soda.” I hold out one of the bags along with a drink for each of them.
Chris grabs it eagerly. “Thanks Miss Montgomery.”
“Ma’am, you didn’t have to,” Tony replies, voice gruff yet appreciative. Tony’s older than Chris and Luca, speaking very little aside from polite nods and the occasional, “Yes, ma’am.” This is probably the longest conversation we’ve had since we’ve been acquainted.
“It’s nothing,” I say, stepping out of the car, balancing the remaining trays carefully. Chris steps out, standing beside me.
“You can eat your food once I’m inside, I should be okay,” I say to him.
He nods.
Approaching the glass doors, I wait, but they don’t automatically slide open.
Hmmph.
I tap on the glass, holding up the trays. “Hey! I brought food!” I call out. The security guard eyes me skeptically from behind his desk, eyebrows raised in silent question. A staticky voice crackles through the speaker near the door.
“Can I help you?”
“I have food for Mr. Schwartz.”
Tossing me a side-eye, he lifts the phone to his ear. I shift nervously from foot to foot, silently chastising myself again for not calling ahead. Idiot. After a brief pause, he nods and presses a button, and the doors groan open.
“Thank you!” I gush, scuttling past him toward the elevators.
“Take the farthest elevator on the left; it’ll take you directly to Mr. Schwartz’s office,” he instructs from behind me. “His assistant will meet you there.”
I nod my thanks again, stepping inside the elevator. The savory scent of grilled burgers fills the tiny space as it whisks me upward to the top floor. A soft ding announces my arrival.
As I enter the foyer, I see a woman with glasses seated behind a desk, her hair frizzier than it likely was this morning, nibbling halfheartedly on a granola bar. Poor thing—who knows how long she’s been here.
“Hi,” I greet her sweetly. “I’m here for Mr. Schwartz.”
“Oh!” She stands quickly, crumpling the granola wrapper and smoothing out her skirt as she steps forward. “I’m Stacey. I didn’t realize he ordered food—he usually has frozen meals delivered, but nothing’s come in since he got back.”
“Oh, no, he didn’t order anything.” I laugh softly, adjusting my grip on the trays. “I’m Elena, Broderick’s friend.”
Her eyes widen dramatically. “You’re Elena? The Elena?” The wheels are clearly turning in her head, and the recognition leaves me momentarily puzzled.
The Elena?
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance?” I offer tentatively.
A wide grin brightens her face, erasing the tiredness from her eyes. “Silly me. I’m so sorry—go right ahead. His office is just down there.”
I move toward the brown door at the end of the corridor before turning back. “Hey, Stacey, did you want something to eat?” I gesture to the trays.
She blinks, shaking her head gently. “I shouldn’t. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“Are you really gonna pass up juicy burgers for a granola bar?” I tease lightly, already placing the trays down and handing her a bag and a drink. “Come on. Treat yourself—I won’t take no for an answer,” I sing-song.
She hesitates only briefly before accepting, her lips curving into a knowing smile. “Hmm. I get it now. Thanks, Elena.”
I’m not exactly sure what she means by that, but I smile back anyway. Grabbing the trays, I turn and head toward Broderick’s office, butterflies fluttering with every step.
I push open the office door with my back, hearing the faint clicking of keys from inside. My heart taps a frantic beat against my ribs.
God, what if he’s annoyed I interrupted him? Maybe I should just drop these and go.
His office is impressive—expansive windows stretching from floor to ceiling offer a dazzling view of the city at night.
To the right is a sleek conference table big enough to seat twelve, and directly in front of his broad mahogany desk are two plush leather sofas framing a low glass coffee table.
Along the left wall, a collection of awards, trophies, and photographs show Broderick smiling politely at ribbon-cuttings and gala dinners.
Lost in admiring the space, I let the heavy door slip from my grip. It slams shut louder than I intended.
Fuck. Smooth, Elena.
“Stacey…” Broderick calls absently, but when he sees me, his fingers halt mid-type. His brows shoot up, surprise quickly replaced by amusement. “El—well, this is unexpected.”
“Yep, that’s me,” I say with forced cheerfulness, holding up the trays. “Full of surprises.”
He leans back in his chair, his lips tugging into an easy smile. “How was dinner at SORA?”
“Delicious, as always. Though considering you’ve never joined us the whole time Riley and I have been going, you don’t even know what you’re missing.”
He chuckles softly, stretching his arms behind his head. My eyes betray me, sliding helplessly down the tight pull of his shirt across his muscles. A hot pulse zings straight between my thighs, and I quickly avert my gaze.
Nope. Nope. Nope. Too soon. Save that for later when sleep evades me and my vibrator becomes my best friend again.
“I, um, brought you dinner. Figured you might be hungry.” My voice sounds more breathless than I intend.
I round his desk and set the trays down, noticing a pitiful little container of almonds sitting sadly beside his keyboard.
“Oh, wait—my bad. Looks like you’ve already got dinner covered,” I joke, feigning my retreat.
“Almonds, yum. I’ll just take these burgers and go—”
“Absolutely not,” he interrupts with a dark laugh, grabbing my arm gently. “You’re not going anywhere, Elena—not when whatever you’ve brought smells so fucking good.”
His hand is warm, strong, sending sparks ricocheting down my spine. It shouldn’t feel this intoxicating, yet here I am, internally melting at a single touch. Traitorous body.
He stands, grabbing one of the trays. “Come on, let’s sit.”
I follow him obediently, drink tray trembling slightly in my grip.
“I didn’t know Songbirds delivered,” he teases, settling onto one of the sofas.
“It’s a very exclusive service.”
“I’ll put in a good word, then,” he murmurs, eyes sparkling.
“I’d prefer a tip,” I reply coyly before realizing how that sounded. Dammit.
His lips twitch wickedly. “Just…the tip?”
My mouth falls open before I snap it shut. Walked straight into that one.
I roll my eyes dramatically, placing the tray on the coffee table. Now comes the dilemma: sit safely opposite him, or tempt fate and sit right beside him? Broderick watches my internal debate, thoroughly entertained.
“Sit down, El. I don’t bite,” he says softly, those damned dimples deepening. “Unless you ask nicely.”
My knees practically buckle beneath me, and I sink onto the sofa beside him, cheeks burning hot enough to ignite the entire office.
“Hope you like burgers. Don’t worry—they’re gourmet,” I declare theatrically.
“You could’ve brought me homemade sandwiches, and it’d still be the best thing I’ve eaten all day.”
My brows knit together. “Please don’t tell me almonds are the highlight of your nutritional intake today?”
He shrugs sheepishly. “I had an apple, a possibly expired protein bar from my drawer, and Stacey graciously shared her almonds.”
“Broderick.” My voice is firm but playful. “You can’t keep working yourself to death.” I shove two bags toward him insistently. “Eat. Now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says obediently, smirking.
I tsk, fighting a laugh as he eagerly rips into one of the burgers. He takes a massive bite, groaning low in his throat with appreciation.
Oh my God, that sound.
I squeeze my thighs together, pulse skyrocketing. It’s been weeks since Alex rearranged my insides—too long—and even watching this gorgeous man eat is indecently arousing.
I wonder if he makes those same noises when he’s eating other…things.
Get your filthy mind out of the gutter.
Desperate for a distraction, I swallow hard and blurt out, “I loved that photo of the capybaras you sent me, by the way. So cute.”
He smiles around another enormous bite, swallowing thickly before speaking.
“Honestly, I was starting to stress over what to send you, then we stumbled upon an entire herd of them at one of the sites. I figured they’d put a smile on your face.
” His eyes catch mine, hopeful and quietly seeking approval.
“It did.”
Broderick grins, eyes sparkling under the light.
He quickly polishes off the burger in four large bites, immediately tearing into the second one. Watching a hungry, exhausted man devour food like it’s his last meal on earth shouldn’t be this hot—but holy shit, it is.
My mind spirals chaotically, heat coiling in places that definitely don’t need encouragement.
Broderick leans back after downing one of the drinks and pats his stomach. “Thank you El, highlight of my day.”
“Really?”
He nods slowly.
“How are rehearsals going?” he asks.
“Exhausting, but good, which reminds me.” I reach for my purse on the table and grab the VIP ticket. I tuck my knees, holding the ticket to Ava Edwards concert in both hands, like I’m presenting him with a prize.